Cooling problem

Community Support
1

Hello

I have had a Glowforge for a few months and I am delighted
Can you tell me how do we know if there are enough laser coolants

2

After several years of hard use I have not heard of the problem except in those cases where something critical was broken (usually in shipping) In which case that was the least of the problem.

3

What error are you getting?

If there are no bubbles in the laser jacket (you would have seen them when the machine was first powered up after delivery), then there is sufficient coolant. It is a sealed system.

4

I would like to know if it is necessary to add liquid e from time to time could not

5

No it is not needed, the machine is filled from factory. Have you noticed something that would make you think it needs fluid?

1 Like
6

I’m sorry for the trouble.

Your Glowforge features a closed-loop liquid cooling system that uses the air from the room to remove heat. It is designed to be used when the temperature next to your Glowforge is between 60 degrees Fahrenheit (16 Celsius) and 75 degrees Fahrenheit (24 Celsius). To check, put a room thermometer next to the right hand side of the Glowforge; it draws in air from underneath, on the right.

The coolant system should require zero maintenance on your part!

You can try any of these things to improve warm-weather performance:

  • Try printing with no material on the bed (so as not to generate smoke and fumes) and no exhaust hose attached. If this works, then the problem may be that your exhaust hose is constricting the flow of air out of the unit, preventing cooling.

  • Examine the bottom-right side of your Glowforge, and ensure that there is no fabric or other flexible material underneath it, like a tablecloth. There are air intake vents, and if they become obstructed, it makes cooling less effective.

  • Try pointing a fan at the right side of your Glowforge. If there is warm air around the intake, this could help it cool off.

  • Power off your Glowforge when you are not using it. When your Glowforge sits idle, the fans are off, so heat can build up

  • Just wait. Your print may take a little longer when it’s warm, but your Glowforge will protect itself and make sure it cools enough to prevent any loss of power or damage. It’s clever enough to pick up from exactly where it left off, even if it needs to pause to cool down during the print!

  • Ensure that the sun isn’t shining on the lid. This could cause the inside of your Glowforge to heat up.

  • If you are venting outdoors, ensure that extreme temperatures or humidity do not enter the Glowforge unit through the exhaust hose. Disconnect the hose from the outside air when the Glowforge is not in use.

  • Turn your Glowforge off and open the lid for a few minutes before trying again. It’s possible for the air in your Glowforge to heat up, just like a car in the sun on a hot day, opening the lid will help that warm air to escape and your Glowforge to cool down.

If you are still running into trouble, please let us know the following so that we can investigate further:

  • A description of the things you tried and what happened

  • If possible, place a thermometer next to your Glowforge on the right hand side and measure the temperature there; if not, estimate the room temperature

  • The date and time (including time zone) when you had the problem

  • Take a picture of the exhaust hose behind your Glowforge that includes the part where it connects to your Glowforge, and the part where it exits the room

1 Like
7

It’s been a while since we’ve heard from you, so I’m going to close this thread. If you are still having trouble, please start a new thread or reach out at support@glowforge.com - we’ll be happy to continue troubleshooting.